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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Book Review: LOVED Paranormalcy by Kiersten White...LOVED!

If you follow this blog at all, you'll probably know that I've been wishing, pleading, and shamelessly begging for a copy of this book since I saw this AWESOME cover a couple of months ago. I've been following Kiersten's blog, and have gotten to know some about her, and everything I've learned has made me like her and appreciate her, not just as an author, but as a person. So, when a Twitter friend offered to let me borrow her BEA copy I was freaking out! But not just because I was finally getting my wish, but also because I was a little afraid that the book wouldn't live up to all that I had come to expect. So, the question is....how did I like it?

Paranormalcy:
Evie is just your normal, average, everyday girl. If by normal you mean a vampire-chasing, werewolf-tagging, ex-faerie-dating, girl who can see through glamours. But that's all Evie has known since she was found by the IPCA (International Paranormal Containment Agency) when she was a little girl. She knew that she was special, because she was the only one who could see through the glamours that betrayed everyone else's eyes, but she never thought about what that could mean about herself. To Evie, she is just a normal girl.

But that all changes the day a new shape-shifting boy, named Lend (for his ability to "lend" people's appearance), breaks into IPCA. Lend challenges everything Evie thinks she knows about IPCA and about herself. There is a strange new threat in the world, that is killing all the paranormals, and Lend thinks that Evie may hold the answers. As Evie and Lend try to figure out the mystery behind these horrible acts of violence, they start realizing there is more to their relationship than just crime-solving. As Evie faces the truth about the IPCA and about herself, she'll have to make a choice that may endanger the lives of all the people.....and non-people that she loves.

From the very first page of Paranormalcy, I fell completely in love with Evie! She was "bleeping" fantastic! It's not that often that I come away from a book, just loving the girl that is the "point of view". Even in Twilight, which I loved, I found myself often thinking, "I understand why she loves him....but what on earth does he see in her?" This was absolutely not the case in this book! Evie was funny, witty, intelligent, thoughtful, kind, and beautiful! What's not to love? I found myself cracking up laughing at her sarcastic remarks, and her witty comebacks. I loved that she had insecurities, but that they didn't hold her back. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind, even if she thought people might think she was crazy for saying it. I just loved everything about her! And the relationship between Evie and Lend was just perfect. Lend was such a fun character to get to know. I love how he "wore" different appearances all the time, and that Evie just didn't care at all what he looked like. It was so refreshing to see their relationship progress over time, as they got to really know each other. They didn't just meet and fall madly in love without any real reason. It was perfectly sweet!

I also loved the storyline. It was so unique! It was kind of like "Men in Black" meets "Van Helsing" meets "Never Been Kissed". It has something for everyone! It's funny, light-hearted, sweet, and clever, while at the same time it's unusual, romantic, mysterious, and even at brief times a little dark and scary. It's everything that I love in a book!

This is the part where I normally say what I didn't like about the book. I have nothing. There is honestly nothing I would change about this book! I've read a LOT of paranormal books, and this one was just so original, so different from the other paranormals out there. When I was reading it, I kept laughing, and sighing, and smiling, and Kit (my 15 yr old daughter) would keep saying, "What?" And I would just say, "Oh, you have to read this book....you will love it!" And what makes me happiest, is not only that I think this book is ok (appropriate) for her to read, but that I want her to read it. I can't wait until she reads it, because I know it will be one of those books that we talk about and quote to each other forever!

CHECK MATE!

Sexual Content: Some Kissing

Profanity: "Bleep" is used where profanity would normally be used (funny).

Violence: Mild

Parents should know: This book is fantastically clean! There are a couple of kissing scenes, but nothing detailed, and even though there is some violence, they are mostly mentioned or implied and not detailed. For more details, go to Paranormalcy on Parental Book Reviews.

"So, when a Twitter friend offered to let me borrow her BEA copy I was freaking out! But not just because I was finally getting my wish, but also because I was a little afraid that the book wouldn't live up to all that I had come to expect."

That's my concern too, so I'm glad that PARANORMALCY lived up for you. I SO want Kiersten's book to be as awesome as the Kiersten I've come to know and love through her blog. It sounds like I probably won't be disappointed. :)

I'm hopping by your blog through the Blog Hop. WOW-excellent blog! I've already read through some of your posts and found books that will definitely be going on my to be read list!!!! I'm your newest follower! :)

So jealous that you got to read Paranormalcy!Glad that you loved the book so much!Awesome review! I loved the review especially '"Men in Black" meets "Van Helsing" meets "Never Been Kissed"'.This line totally caught my eye!I wish I could borrow the book from you!! I am so desperate to read it!!And no negative points whatsoever? Whoa! That's a tremendous achievement! Yay for Kierstin!

So jealous! I've wanted this book for months. I've seen so many great reviews about this book, but I didn't know that this book is clean!Darn, this review just moved the book to a higher spot on my wish list.

ok not sure i got got the right spot. Loved the reviewThanks for the second hand giveaway. If i win i would like AUDIOBOOK Will Grayson, Will Grayson by Devid Levithan and John Greenhttp://readforyourfuture.blogspot.com/chaarmedone1512@aol.com

Well, I'm not as crazy about Paranormals these days as I used to be. But on the strength of this review, I might be tempted to give Paranormalcy a try--as it at least sounds fresh and original.

I also know what you mean about reading an otherwise decent Romance and wondering, "What does he see in her, anyway?" When characters are great, I'd like the author to show it, not just tell me--or worse, have another character tell me! =P So that's another plus point for this novel. =)

I've been wanting to read Paranormalcy for so long it isn't even funny. I've been on different book blog websites trying to find Paranormalcy teasers and excerpts. And luckily, I've read some really good ones. Your review is only reinforcing my want for the book. Thanks for the heads up.-Erica

To be honest when I looked at the cover I just didn't like it. You wanted to read it because (amongst many other things) the cover was gorgeous, but with me it was the cover that put me OFF the book for so long.Obviously, never judge a book by its cover, so upon reading the blurb ... I was slightly interested but not that much because supernaturals are in so many YA books now-a-days, and I felt it might be a story I would have already read.

It JUST came out in the UK, and so as I was browsing on Amazon, looking for a book to buy, I though "Hmm, I'll give it a go, see what the big deal is about".

I'm glad I did. Because I LOVED IT!!!!!Evie was a breath of fresh air, I can’t recall when was the last time I read a book where the protagonist was girly and fun and simply lit up the whole book. We sometimes get a strong female character who doesn’t cry, is stubborn, a survivor, smart and simply kick-ass. Or we get the girl who can’t defend herself, doesn’t make a stand until the last book, and from beginning to end, is just dull.But for me, a lot of the protagonists in YA novels are... just sort of there. You can tell that they’re the quiet, invisible girl nothing ever happens to, but they have their quirks. With those protagonists I find myself loving some of the smaller characters more; her best friend, her brother, etc.I guess that’s why Evie shocked me. I mean she’s a girl who’s not afraid to admit she loves the colour pink, not afraid to cry when she’s scared or sad, but she also cracks lame jokes, thinks a locker is the coolest thing and really lives for the moment. She’s sassy, can tag and bag vamps and still go home to watch a TV show. And even though there’s a prophecy around the corner, she doesn’t obsess day and night about it. Evie MADE this book for me. Lend was sweet and perfect for her, just what you needed to add to her life.Bleep I love this book! Cannot wait for Supernatural!!!

What a FANTASTIC review, Andye! I really enjoy reading detailed reviews such as this one, where the reviewer explains why they are enchanted with the characters and events in the story.

As for this book, you've made me want to rush over to Amazon or eBay, or WHEREVER, to grab my own copy! I NEVER borrow books, by the way. Oh, no....I have to OWN them. And no ebooks, either! I have to be able to hold a book in my hands, smell the pages, and lovingly turn the pages...